A Descriptive Study on the Sexual Ethics of Catholic Freshmen Students of CAS UP Manila

Abstract

During adolescence, individuals undergo confusions regarding all aspects of their being human. During this period the most dominant question that arises in every adolescents’ mind is that whether they will be accepted by their society as individuals with significant roles to take and a special place to be part of. What comes along with this is the question of whether they will be accepted and not be considered as deviants if they would agree and engage in things that are not specifically identified as part of their culture. Such as premarital sexual activities that are considered non-categorical and unacceptable behavior in Philippine society. Today's Filipino adolescents differ in their way of coping with the sensual media and other changes that occur in the present society. In this research, the subjects were found to be conservative in the face of the liberalization of sexuality by the media. Their conservatism was reflected on their answers to the questionnaire. They hold firm to what their culture and religion has imparted on them. However, because of their everyday exposure to sexual permissiveness of the western countries through the media, they become more sensitive to labeling themselves as liberals because sometimes, they tend to comply and agree on certain premarital sexual behavior but their attitudes still oppose their way of coping with it. It is therefore important that these adolescents be advised to reflect on things that are significant to them rather than what others would say against them. Reading through the analysis and presentation, the respondents’ opinion regarding premarital sexual issues that concern them will be illustrated to better grasp how they were labeled as conservative. Interviews were conducted in order to give a more specific explanation from the respondents regarding their premarital sexual ethics.